COMPEL Omeka Dev

Desert Presence

Item

Title

Desert Presence

Description

Desert Presence reminisces on the landscape of the American West, dwelling on how the vast, open spaces of the region are both “quiet” and “loud:” silent and empty, but also overwhelming because of that very emptiness in such large space. The performer interacts in dialogue with an unseen presence. As this back-and-forth develops, the two voices begin to come together as echoes of one another, creating a fleeting sense of union between the known and unknown. The piece is performed through Max/MSP, using both recorded sounds and live processing of the guitar and electronics during the performance.

Cues specified in the score determine the entrances of electronic elements; some sounds are triggered by volume choices made by the performer, while others use randomization. The cues may be controlled by the performer, with a pedal, or an outside person. The guitarist must be playing into a microphone, both for balance and to make use of the live electronics.

Creator

Date

2014

Instrumentation

For guitar and electronics

Duration

7:00

Citation

Nicolas Chuaqui, “Desert Presence,” COMPEL Omeka Dev, accessed November 14, 2024, https://compel-dev.vtlibraries.net/items/show/256.

Comments

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